Drought disaster declared for SW Georgia

October 25, 2007Bishop press release

Washington, D.C. -- Congressman Sanford Bishop today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has designated 10 Georgia counties primary natural disaster areas due to losses caused by drought, including the Second District counties of Chattahoochee, Dooly, Marion, Muscogee, and Talbot.

Additionally, the Second District counties of Crisp, Macon, Schley, Stewart, Sumter, and Taylor were among 24 Georgia counties named contiguous disaster areas.

This designation makes farm operators in both primary and contiguous counties eligible to be considered for low-interest emergency loans from the Farm Service Agency (FSA), provided eligibility requirements are met.

Congressman Bishop, reacting to the news, issued the following statement:

"The severe drought, which is having a profound effect on Georgia's agriculture economy, touches the lives of all of its citizens. I am pleased that President Bush and Acting Secretary of Agriculture Connor have recognized the severity of this situation in approving the disaster declaration for the affected Georgia counties. We must all work together now to find sensible solutions to alleviate this current crisis and ensure that our state's farmers can weather this difficult time."